Page 81 of All at Once

It’s a relief how they didn’t need my help since as soon as we get inside I almost trip over my 4-inch heels. Everyone’s attractive. Everyone’s mingling. And everyone’s dressed immaculately, with the most glimmering outfits I’ve probably seen in person. Which is why as I bump into someone every two steps, the clueless expression on my face must only exacerbate, I’m sure.

If I could have gone to a party fromThe Great Gatsby, this is how grand I’d imagine it to feel like.

Suddenly I feel a little underdressed even in my silver sequin ensemble.

As if it’s not all overwhelming enough, I quite literally gasp when I spot the pool. My attention feels all over the place as I try to take in the glamour surrounding me. Enrique immediately starts introducing me to his friends, while Luca goes to set up the drinks they brought.

Then Enrique offers me a beer, and I eagerly accept. “Thanks.”

After taking a sip, I’m surprised at how much I like the taste, and more importantly as to why it reminds me so much of something else that I’ve had before.

Enrique must read my pleased expression. “It’s ginger beer.”

My eyes light up. “I love ginger beer.”

“Luca brought it. Said you didn’t like drinking that much. Is that true?” He tilts his head a bit quizzically as if wondering why I didn’t tellhimthis fact.

I should respond to his question. But the first thought that pops into my head is,whydid Luca do that? An all too familiar warmth fills my entire body at his gesture.

Trying to avoid the fact that I’m also feeling somewhat embarrassed that Enrique found out about something so silly like this through his friend, I say, “Yeah. I don’t mind it. It’s just not my favorite.” It’s not lost on me that my response to Luca about alcohol was far less sugarcoated.

He takes a sip of his beer, then gives a slight grin. “I was a little worried that you two wouldn’t get along at first, but it seems like you’ve gotten close.”

This is the first time Enrique brings up Luca in a way that could imply that he senses something more than platonic happening between us. But whatever it is, it’s pretty one-sided, and that’s not worth giving up the potential thatwestill have.

So I shake my head. “I don’t know about that. I barely know anything about him.” Or maybe it seems this way since no matter how much I learn about Luca, I want to knowmore.

Enrique smiles. But there’s a bit of hesitation in his expression.

When one of his friends comes over, my body language is focused on our conversation, but my mind is annoyingly focused on Luca.

It’s hard to concentrate on anything other than the two women that have his full attention right now. Then I wonder, why is it that there’s alwaystwowomen with Luca at all times?

One of them is holding onto his shoulder, while the other is so close to his face that they might as well be kissing already.

I remind myself two crucial things: he’s single, and can do whatever he wants.

And jealousy is not cute on you, Jasmine.

The audacity that this man has, though…

Buying me a non-alcoholic beverage, knowing it would make me happy, and then flaunting his sex appeal to other women at the party right in front of my face. I’m more frustrated at myself for getting sucked back into the idea of him when I damn well know it’ll never happen.

This is all probably just theginger beertalking.

After meeting pretty much most of their friend group, I walk near the ping pong table, and then smile to myself at the sound of the ball clicking and clacking against the hard surface.

My body actually jumps when Luca’s voice vibrates near my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “What’s so funny?” He’s doing that thing where his lips aren’t even slightly curved, and yet his eyes are still smiling somehow, cascadinganothershiver across my skin.

I then try to avoid how distracted I am by the top two buttons on his shirt that are now unbuttoned. “Do you know ‘The Ping Pong Song’ by Enrique Iglesias?” I say.

“‘Dímelo?’” he refers to the Spanish title of the song, and my body is humming from hearing his Spanish again.

“Yes!” I confirm. “I love that song.”

“Only you would think of that song right now.” He smiles, while stroking his jaw. “So would you say this is also fate?”

“What else am I supposed to do with all these signs?”

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